Is ‘Critical Theory’ Biblical?

Peter J Barban

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Silmarien

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I would say that critical social theory is a lot like Marxism in general (which it comes from). It identifies genuine problems, applies an overly simplistic analysis to them, and then proposes solutions that are completely insane.

I have enormous problems with critical theory, since I'm close enough to it to see it in action, and it really is just another power game. Intersectionality in particular leads to a sort of divide and conquer mentality, where a group that considers itself more oppressed will rope the ultimate "oppressor" class (straight white men) into an attack on a second oppressed class that it (sometimes falsely) views as more privileged than itself. So the straight white men regain social capital by using their own status to silence whichever oppressed group is being targeted. (Usually women.)

I think the video is pretty good, though I would challenge the idea that Christianity doesn't also advocate for social liberation and activism. Salvation is bigger than that, obviously, but the entire Old Testament is about people rebelling and not caring for their neighbor. Saying "oh well, social oppression is out of my hands" strikes me as a poor way to actually approach the commandment to love one's neighbor as oneself.
 
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Peter J Barban

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I would say that critical social theory is a lot like Marxism in general (which it comes from). It identifies genuine problems, applies an overly simplistic analysis to them, and then proposes solutions that are completely insane.

I have enormous problems with critical theory, since I'm close enough to it to see it in action, and it really is just another power game. Intersectionality in particular leads to a sort of divide and conquer mentality, where a group that considers itself more oppressed will rope the ultimate "oppressor" class (straight white men) into an attack on a second oppressed class that it (sometimes falsely) views as more privileged than itself. So the straight white men regain social capital by using their own status to silence whichever oppressed group is being targeted. (Usually women.)

I think the video is pretty good, though I would challenge the idea that Christianity doesn't also advocate for social liberation and activism. Salvation is bigger than that, obviously, but the entire Old Testament is about people rebelling and not caring for their neighbor. Saying "oh well, social oppression is out of my hands" strikes me as a poor way to actually approach the commandment to love one's neighbor as oneself.
This is a great analysis!
Perhaps we can say that liberation is a secondary effect of salvation. And a secondary effect of revival as well.
 
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